Just 3 Things | #11

After taking some time away from my computer, I'm back and ready to share what's been going on around here. Doesn't it seem sort of like the world is turning a bit faster right now than usual? Everybody I know has been busy, busy, busy! Tis the season, I guess.

- What I'm Reading - 

I've been reading another Mary Kay Andrews book, Irish Eyes. This follows on the heels of reading three short stories that are within the Callahan Garrity series, Killer Fudge, Fatal Fruitcake, and The Family Jewels. 

It has been sort of relaxing to go through a series like this. I haven't done so in a long, long time. I sort of feel like I visit old friends or binge watching a series on television as I'm reading. I've also been reading several blogs that fill my email box. I have enjoyed several virtual home tours, lots of shopping suggestions, and just reading what is going on n the lives of other bloggers.

- What I'm Loving -

Mike and I have enjoyed a neighbor's handywork a couple of weeks in a row. One of our new neighbors is a baker, crafting and selling sourdough breads. The first week we got a traditional sourdough boule from her. We enjoyed ham and cheese sandwiches, a hunk of bread with our stew, toast, and more. The next week we tried a sourdough loaf and a sourdough loaf with Rosemary. Both were absolutely delicious. 

First Try Farm

If you are in our area, I'd recommend her yummy bread. It is a special treat. We feel fortunate to have her as a neighbor and I look forward to trying the Jalapeno Cheddar and the Everything Bagel flavors. Of course, it is hard to beat the traditional loaf. Yum, yum.

I remember having a sourdough starter years ago when the children were young. It was always a delicious treat on bread-making day. I recall trying the dough out as rolls, sweet rolls, loaves, and all sorts of ways. Then, I noticed the pounds creeping up on the scale each day and decided that I didn't need to be a sourdough baker anymore!

- What I'm Working On - 

Since the last Friday, Just 3 Things post, I have been Christmas shopping, gift wrapping, and tracking packages. When you have eighteen folks in your immediate family - children, spouses, and grandchildren - that's a lot of gifting. I do love it, though. 

I like it best when each one gives me a list. That helps me to know their tastes, their sizes, and their interests. I have the opportunity to pick things directly from their list, especially when they send me one with links - the best way to get a list! I also have the opportunity to pick things that are not on their list but might fit in nicely with their interests. 

We try to follow the gifting 'rules' of including the following:

• Something they want
• Something they need
• Something to wear
• Something to read

I also like to include surprises as well. The grandchildren seem better at getting their lists to me than their parents. But, the grown up lists have been so helpful this year. I hope the concept has caught on and they like the system as well. I love that they give such a broad variety of items for me to choose from and price ranges to pick from as well. Even our little second grader created her own list and sent it along to me using her mother's phone. Hers was the first list I worked through and selected items from and I think she's going to love the things I picked from it and the things I added as surprises!

Ribbon Central

So, the delivery trucks have been rolling in here for the past couple of weeks like we were a main thoroughfare. Mike jokingly told somebody that the Amazon truck ran into the FedEx truck and the UPS truck got stuck trying to go around them. Of course, it hasn't been quite that busy but we have had as many as five deliveries per day sometimes. 

Boxes

All that means that I've been doing something I really don't like - wrapping. Oh, I love the look of a pretty wrapped gift. I love giving them. I love seeing them all stacked together. I love watching the recipients tear into it with excitement and the look of surprise and happiness on their faces when they discover what is inside. The wrapping, though, tends to cause back aches and is very time consuming. At this point, I am well over half done. So, the downhill slide is enjoyable and below is a quick cellphone shot.

The Stack - So Far

It has been really cold here. So, wrapping gifts has been a good thing to do on these cold, rainy, sleet-filled days. I didn't want to be outside anyway! Hope your week has been cozy and warm and dry.